Your report on Congresswoman Waters’ successful and constructive town hall meeting on health care was the most encouraging thing I have read on the subject in quite some time. In this country we spend more per capita on health care than any other country in the world. And yet, our results regarding life expectancy, infant mortality, deaths caused by lack of access to health care, and many other measures lag behind countries which spend substantially less. Congresswoman Waters was right to say that “The health care system is broken and it’s got to be fixed.” I totally support her, her Democratic colleagues and President Obama in their efforts to do so.

All credit to Congresswoman Jane Harman as well for her support of a public option to compete with private health insurance, as you reported in “Protesters seek health care forum” (Saturday). This public option is critical to a truly successful health care reform effort.

No one could say it better than the sign which you reported being carried at the Waters meeting, “Who would Jesus not insure?”

– Noel Park

Rancho Palos Verdes

Garden should honor bequest

The article in Monday’s Breeze (“Donation stirs up a storm at Botanic Garden”), got my attention for a number of reasons. It would appear that the bequest was earmarked for specific use at the Garden – in accord with the giver’s wishes. And it would appear that the foundation board saw fit to completely disregard the earmark and use the bequest “as they saw fit.”

This is very disturbing to me as a senior – with a living trust – in that, despite the earmark, a benefactor (group) can arbitrarily do with a bequest as they desire. I would like to believe that there is something which the executor of the estate, can do to uphold the intent of the bequest – namely that it either be applied as designated or that it be withheld completely from the foundation. Believe me, if I designate funds from my estate for some use, I fully expect them to be applied as directed. That is what I intend and that is what I want – no exceptions!

The one-handed temerity of the foundation executive director, followed by the singularly uninformed action by the board president, brings into question their abilities as foundation representatives.

I sincerely hope the company and the Garden Foundation can clean up this unfortunate mess and restore the reputation of the Garden, which has been so tainted by their actions.

– Charles Fischer

Torrance

Postal rates need adjustment

This is regarding the editorial in Monday’s Daily Breeze, “Postal Service isn’t licked yet.”

I worked at the post office at Christmastimes and was a letter carrier full time in the fall of 1953. My uncle was a postal employee all his life and I have his Life Member plaque from the National Association of Letter Carriers. I still like to visit post offices and I wish the Postal Service well.

But I object to the large quantity of mail that I receive every day that comes with minimal postage – some for only 4 to 10 cents. I don’t want most of this “junk mail” and I strongly believe that the Postal Service would be in better financial shape if the rates would be increased on political and other types of advertisements. I receive only an occasional letter with a 44-cent stamp, with which I am posting this letter.

So yes, I agree with the article’s conclusion that the Postal Service’s mission of “binding the nation together” with universal service, at fair and reasonable rates, must be preserved. I think that 44 cents for a letter and 4 to 10 cents for a political advertisement is not reasonable.

– Frank Beers

Torrance

Thanks from Wilmington VFW

The members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2967, located in Wilmington, would like to take this opportunity to extend a sincere, heartfelt “thank you” to all who supported us in our 11th annual golf tournament fundraiser held on July 23 at Harbor Golf Course. It was a great success for everyone thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers and golfers.

We invite the community to participate or volunteer in our programs dedicated to helping veterans, their widows and children.

The purpose of our fundraiser is to foster support for our various community programs. The proceeds are used to assist our needy veterans in and out of hospitals and assist their widows and support local schools and youth programs, which promote Americanism and positive community involvement.

Thanks to your generous donations, we are proud to provide an emotionally moving patriotic Burial Ceremony, presented by the Honor Guard, accompanied with a bugler playing taps, a flag-folding ceremony and a 21-gun salute. We also participate in numerous local civic parades and groundbreaking dedication ceremonies throughout the year.

With your continued help and support we remain committed in working to make our community a better place.